ASTRAL REFLECTIONS
BY TIM STEPHENS
AUGUST 24 - 30, 2008

	All times/dates are PDT.
	A reader has informed me that one of the original omen columns lies in the January 15, 2006 archive on www.astralreflections.com.  I think omens are our subconscious' way of presenting its knowledge. It finds an image, a "picture" in the outside world to convey an important fact. We call this picture a harbinger of the future.
	We have always thought that lightning comes from the sky. But scientists have discovered that lightning actually shoots upward, from the earth. Similarly, folklore has it that omens come to us unbidden, from the great sky above. But the process might be very different. When I bought my first new car, a Ford Aerostar (I had a young family) I saw Aerostars on the road for weeks afterward. My mind, noting that something was special to me, became hyper-alert about Aerostars, and pointed out every one that came within my sphere; it "lifted" them from the general background noise of my sight. But at the time I thought, "How strange! Suddenly I'm running across all these new Ford vans!"
	I believe the same thing happens with omens. Our mind, being in an omen mood, searches the environment and finds one. The "lightning" (the magical feeling of recognizing an omen) proceeds from our own mind, not from the sky. When our mind "finds" omens for us, it is probably trying to communicate an important process, signal, or fact that the subconscious recognizes, and our conscious mind doesn't. For example, our subconscious might know (or have decided) that we are going to find love soon, that we want love, are ready for it, and are going to get it. (We find love partly by radiating our desire subconsciously for a partner, and partly by lowering our own semi-conscious - or unconscious - defenses. This is enough to attract and accept - i.e., "find" - love). This is such a momentous event that our subconscious gives us a clue: suddenly we see 5 birds (the number of infatuation and romance) or spilled cinnamon hearts or whatever. 5 birds fly all the time, but this time we noticed it, just as I noticed all the Ford vans. 
	If you look out your window every day consciously searching for omens, they will mean little. But if you never think about omens, and suddenly, upon seeing 4 birds traverse the sky, you experience a feeling of strangeness and awe, and the light turns weird for a moment (all special effects your subconscious mind is creating) then you're likely being given a significant omen (in this case, perhaps, of a child coming, or of a new home, or a leaky roof). If the birds are high and serene, we'd expect a calm, deep, and probably fruitful result. If the birds are tumbling in an erratic sky, or in panic flight, then the auspice is not so benign. 


Start Nothing: 2:52 p.m. to 5:18 p.m. Mon., 5:13 p.m. to 7:51 p.m. Wed., and 8:44 p.m. to 11:18 p.m. Fri.

Aries   March 21-April 19
Four weeks of work and health issues has just begun, but there's no need to jump in too early. Sunday's blah, and important chores won't succeed. Travel and talk cautiously. Monday's similar. Avoid mental tasks Tuesday/Wednesday - you can make friends with higher-ups, neighbors. Romance calls Wednesday night to Friday - enjoy the feelings, but avoid commitment (or trying to obtain one) - love and fate go separate ways. Saturday is perfect for tackling chores, starting work projects, and being ambitious. What's begun now could bless your practical future!

Taurus   April 20-May 20
A month of romance, creative surges, beauty, pleasure, risk and happiness has just begun. 2008 is a significant year for these - if single, you could meet and fall in love with a life mate who brings a pleasing sensuality, a cheerful sense of "mystery," and either wealth or the ability to find wealth. 2008, 09 and 10 favor nuptials, but 2008 - especially this August/September (and especially August 30) brings significant sparks of romance. If married, children bring joy. Buy nothing high-tech Sunday/Monday. Rest, contemplate, be home Thursday/Friday. 

Gemini   May 21-June 20
The weeks ahead slow you down. (But they also hold a nice, re-invigorating streak of romance or creativity.) Get plenty of rest, and set your main focus on home, security, real estate, family, nutrition, gardening, landscaping, building repairing, retirement and soul matters. The impatience, indecision and friction that marred this area in July/August dissolve - leaving you with a sluggish, serious, potentially deeply productive influence. This is an excellent year to invest in "long term" real estate, especially September 8 to 22. Start looking Tuesday or Friday/Saturday.

Cancer   June 21-July 22
The month ahead isn't an important one - you'll be busy, but tasks are easy (if slow) and the stakes aren't high. Communications (especially with partners) paperwork, casual friendships and short trips fill the days. A somewhat significant friendship, trip, or fact-finding mission could pop up or begin fortunately Saturday (and interestingly but without fortune, August 31). A quietly growing accent on your home and domestic sphere will surge into meaningful events by September. Rest Sunday/Monday. Your energy and charisma surge Monday night to Wednesday. Buy nothing important Wednesday-Friday.

Leo   July 23-Aug. 22
The weeks ahead emphasize earnings, possessions, memory and rote learning, buying and selling, and casual sensuality. A lucky new project could begin in these zones Saturday! (Casual sensuality = an easy, friendly intimacy but one not deep enough to provide married happiness.) Your employment and partnership hopes could hit a gentle refusal Sunday/Monday, but these are two good days to have a bit of fun, entertainment. Retreat, rest and contemplate Tuesday/Wednesday. Your energy and charisma soar upward Wednesday night through Friday. Subtle problems invade domesticity and real estate all week. 

Virgo   Aug. 23-Sept. 22
Your energy, charisma, effectiveness and luck reach a yearly high in the weeks ahead. It's a luck that comes from (and furthers) your efforts - not "lottery" luck. Earnings will be good. You might feel a slowing or somber tone - but this will help you dig deeper, and be more creative in a solid way. You might meet someone you'll later marry, perhaps someone of another generation - it will be you conquering/deserving him/her, not vice-versa. Start major projects, ask favors, make personal appearances - especially August 30! 

Libra   Sept. 23-Oct. 22
Lie low, rest, contemplate and plan for the few weeks ahead. You'll be more involved than usual with government agencies, spiritual or charitable organizations, or "head office." This involvement can open lucky doors on home, property and family/child fronts, bringing a building permit or subdivision permission, leading you to a great therapist for family squabbles, etc. It's a great time to ensure a child's "rock solid" future through long-term investment, to build healthy teeth, bones and habits, etc. You can find your own retirement Shangri-La. Start August 30!

Scorpio   Oct. 23-Nov. 21
Your popularity soars during the weeks ahead! So will your hopes, your view of the future. Expect flirtations and social delights. BUT - all these will be quiet, more conservative than expected, perhaps because everyone involved is thinking long-term. (E.g., you're merely flirting with X, while X is considering marriage.) There's nothing hugely significant here - my advice is, stay light, avoid life-time commitments. Don't invest Sunday/Monday. A sweet, mellow mood steals over you Tuesday/Wednesday. Be ambitious Thursday/Friday. A new friend (or social project) equals money luck Saturday! 

Sagittarius   Nov. 22-Dec. 21
The weeks ahead emphasize career, ambitions, prestige, reputation, and relations with VIPs, bosses, parents, judges and other authorities. You'll do well here (especially if you start an ambitious project August 30 - before 9:30 pm PDT). You'll feel restricted and have to work harder - but advances you make now will boost your income long-term. (You're lucky in money and earnings all 2008 - strive to make this luck permanent. E.g., a permanent pay raise is better than ephemeral overtime.) A streak of flirting and socializing lighten the days!

Capricorn   Dec. 22-Jan. 19
The weeks ahead bring wider understanding and profound opportunities in legal, cultural, far travel, learning, intellectual, publishing, religious or philosophical areas. You're entering a hugely important 17-year period, Cap, the most important of your life. It behooves you to stand back and gather your wisdom now, to decide what principles you want to live by. Love, humanity, acceptance by all, emotional peace - these hang in the balance. August/September offer one of your best chances to grab this higher sight, to understand everything. Lucky "journeys" begin August 30! 

Aquarius   Jan. 20-Feb. 18
The weeks ahead fill with mysteries and secrets. Seek out fruitful financial involvements (especially investments or debt reductions designed to increase your security). Respond to your sexual urges, make commitments (in business and intimacy) research, consider lifestyle changes, major health actions, and/or surgery. Most of these things will turn out splendidly if you begin them Saturday (August 30). Welcome the depths of life; operate on structural levels. What you learn these weeks translates quickly to wisdom or understanding. Avoid legal hassles through early October. Good "quiet" agreements available Friday! 

Pisces   Feb. 19-March 20
The weeks ahead feature exciting meetings, opportunities and new horizons - but also competition, even opposition. Be diplomatic and strive for mutual benefits. A relationship or proposal (in love or business) that starts Saturday (August 30) could be very successful. (Business is more favored than love.) Into late September, meetings and agreements can veer quickly into commitment, intimacy, and funding. Earlier, this week might bring domestic disappointment Sunday/Monday. Passion, romance, creativity and sudden beauty arise Tuesday/Wednesday. Tackle chores Thursday/Friday. Disagreements are likely over ambitions, career, pecking order midweek through Friday.


www.astralreflections.com. Email: timstephens@shaw.ca. For a reading: 604-261-1337.


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